Democrats stress unity under new Speaker Robert DeLeo

Wednesday

Jan 28, 2009 at 12:01 AMJan 28, 2009 at 11:18 AM

Winthrop Rep. Robert DeLeo is expected to take over the House speaker’s chair today. House Democrats on Tuesday emphasized their commitment to work together this session – a change in tone from just a day earlier, when DeLeo and Norwood Rep. John Rogers were both still jockeying for votes.

NANCY REARDON

Winthrop Rep. Robert DeLeo is expected to take over the House speaker’s chair today after a vote legislators say will show a united front, not bitter party infighting.

House Democrats on Tuesday emphasized their commitment to work together this session – a change in tone from just a day earlier, when DeLeo and Norwood Rep. John Rogers were both still jockeying for votes.

Rogers dropped his bid early Tuesday and asked his supporters to back DeLeo, whose office reported Monday night he already had 92 votes, enough to win.

“(Rogers) feels I will be the nominee, and he is encouraging his supporters to vote for me for next speaker of the House,” DeLeo said, flanked by a group of supporters, including Quincy Rep. Ronald Mariano.

Later, Mariano said he has “a lot of confidence in (DeLeo’s) decision-making ability.”

“He’s familiar with all the issues before us and certainly familiar with the financial situation in the commonwealth.”

Freshman Democrat Rep. James Cantwell also described DeLeo as “the person already at the frontline to tackle this budget crisis.”

Cantwell, whose district covers Marshfield and Scituate, noted that he and DeLeo also share a common agenda to push sea wall protection in the coastal communities they represent.

Earlier this week, Rogers supporters said DeLeo may bring new controversies to the speaker’s chair, calling into question his involvement with a ticket-resale bill and a state contract awarded to software company Cognos ULC. Both the bill and contract are linked to DiMasi’s former accountant, Richard Vitale, who is being investigated for illegal lobbying.

On Tuesday, DeLeo told reporters he hasn’t been involved in any investigation.

“I have not been talked to by the attorney general or any law-enforcement official,” he said.

Cantwell declined to comment on the ethics questions posed by Rogers supporters, saying only, “I think it’s time for us to focus on the economic problems we are facing.”

Rogers, speaking to reporters outside House chambers, also declined to comment on the issue.

“I’m serious about extending my hand in partnership with Speaker DeLeo,” he said.

Mariano, however, told The Patriot Ledger he believes DeLeo had “no involvement” in ethics issues surrounding the bill or contract.

“It’s a desperate tactic from desperate people trying to create a false issue around someone who had no involvement with this stuff in order for their candidate to gain an advantage,” he said.

DeLeo joined the Legislature in 1991 and has served as Ways and Means chairman since 2005.